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Jose Mourinho Explains Absence of Key Midfielder for Southampton Game

25 May 2017

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Paul Pogba has been ruled out of the game with Southampton due to the death of his father.

The midfielder has been provided compassionate leave from the game. Manager Jose Mourinho has revealed that the midfielder was also left out of the match against Tottenham during the weekend for the same reason. Pogba’s father passed away on Friday and he has not been back in the United set up. Even if he was present in the squad, Jose Mourinho would not have utilised him. The manager has made it a priority to win the Europa League.

Manchester United are up against Ajax in the final of the competition on May 24. Winning this competition will provide them with Champions League football and it is extremely imperative for the club to qualify for this competition in order to retain the existing stars and also to attract the new ones.
Jose Mourinho has been rotating his squad heavily in recent games. The policy will continue going into the last two games against Southampton and Crystal Palace. United come on the back of two consecutive defeats in the Premier League – against Arsenal and Tottenham. Yet, Mourinho says that the priority remains the Europa League title.

It is expected that Pogba will join up with the team just ahead of the home game against Crystal Palace."I don't think (he will be available). I think that his dad's funeral has to be between Tuesday and Wednesday in France.I don't think that Paul has the conditions to play. We have left him completely free to be back when he thinks he's ready. I am giving one-day holiday 'a la carte', if you understand - Blind one day off, [Henrikh] Mkhitaryan one day off, [Ander] Herrera one day off," said Mourinho ahead of the game with Southampton at the St Mary’s stadium.